Accused Christian Terrorists Demand Trump Voters Serve On Their Jury

gearl comments on Dec 12, 2017:

Not only the prez is now above the law but now everybody that voted for him.

As an Atheist or Agnostic, are you less depressed or anxious?

gearl comments on Dec 12, 2017:

I was flying high until November of last year.

Just for fun here are some of my favorite quotes before I crash for the night.

gearl comments on Dec 12, 2017:

The Jews, the Muslims and the Christians, They've all got it wrong. The people of the world only divide into two kinds, One sort with brains who hold no religion, The other with religion and no brain. - Abu-al-Ala al-Marri, 10th century Syrian poet I cannot conceive of a God who rewards and punishes his creatures, or has a will of the type of which we are conscious in ourselves. An individual who should survive his physical death is also beyond my comprehension, such notions are for the fears or absurd egoism of feeble souls. - Albert Einstein

If every time you walked into a room, a theme song had to play, what would it be?

gearl comments on Dec 11, 2017:

I've never tired of Imagine but I probably would under that "Every Time."

I've been an atheist since my grandmother took me to church and the pastor said if the baby isn't ...

gearl comments on Dec 11, 2017:

It's odd how preachers always know exactly exactly what god thinks.

Billions of believers - The most heavily Christian countries on Earth

gearl comments on Dec 11, 2017:

Thirteenth is the Philippines. My wife is Filipina and she can't believe how American's take their religion so seriously. Saying your Christian and living it are two different things. Her mom said she went to church twice so far. Once was to get christened and once to get married. Maybe she'll go back when she dies. It's one thing to be on the books as a Christian but it's another to live your life like so many here do.

Argument from Non-cognitivism

gearl comments on Dec 11, 2017:

That guy should have made the video out of the wind.

I have another discussion topic Id like to propose.

gearl comments on Dec 10, 2017:

I think the first amendment gives us the right to believe whatever we want. It doesn't say that we have to respect other people's beliefs. Respecting other people and respecting their beliefs are two completely different things. Bill Maher had a confrontation on his show between Sam Harris and Ben Affleck where Affleck pretty much said that we need to respect Islam and Harris said that he could respect Muslims without respecting their religion. I believe we can respect Christians and still be vocal in our disrespect for their beliefs. If a belief does bring harm to others there are laws that protect us from it. If no law exists then we have to advocate getting one passed. Right now this administration is doing everything to overturn the separation of church and state. That would harm everybody and I will do whatever I can to try to get us back on course. I believe the foundation the founders laid is not really outdated but a lot of people seem hell-bent trying to destroy it. Government has reached a crossroads and thinking people need to steer it back on course. What we have isn’t bad but it can always stand improvement. It’ll need a whole lot in the next few years.

Love this one.

gearl comments on Dec 10, 2017:

My wife went to Phoenix with a friend a while back. They had a flat tire and a guy stopped and changed it. When they were ready to leave the woman thanked Jesus for getting the tire fixed and the man overheard her. He said: "No my name's John." My wife always cracks up telling that story.

Am I alone in this?

gearl comments on Dec 10, 2017:

Let's see: I hope that people are intelligent enough to get together and clean house at the White House. I hope people do enough to combat climate change. I hope evangelicals wise up. That won't change anything but it makes me feel better. Hope gives me a bit of strength when I need some.

The Water Woo of Masaru Emoto

gearl comments on Dec 10, 2017:

I agree that it's woo.

Could something bad, short term, turn into something good, long term?

gearl comments on Dec 9, 2017:

I at times am an idiotic optimist. I am hoping that our current administration causes enough good people to see the hypocrisy of the Republicans and evangelicals so that they never return to power. It could be just a dream.

A little Xmas humor :D

gearl comments on Dec 9, 2017:

Never thought about that song that way before.

Progressive Christians

gearl comments on Dec 9, 2017:

I can admire the people if they do good things and work on things I agree with. I don't have to admire their religious beliefs to accomplish that.

Ok so this afternoon its been snowing here in NH and I decided to decorate a tree.

gearl comments on Dec 9, 2017:

I gave my wife moral support when she decorated the house. She's very artistic and has it looking great. I'll help her take stuff down after New Years. That I can do.

White House Rejects Supremacist Label: “No One Has Done More Than Trump to Prove White People Are ...

gearl comments on Dec 9, 2017:

In my opinion if we compare the presidencies of Obama and Trump I can agree with the title above.

I heard a man say that "All that is good is of God, if it is not good it is not of God" If God is ...

gearl comments on Dec 9, 2017:

If you want to discuss this with him you could ask: Is mass genocide good? - The Flood and the conquest of Israel. Is slavery good? The Bible never condemns it but instead condones it both Old & New Testaments. Are disease and parasites good? God created them, or did Satan? Bible never says the Devil is a creator. You pose the question rhetorically so I imagine you already know that.

I'm curious to know the thoughts about adultery. So i figured id ask here

gearl comments on Dec 9, 2017:

I'm old school. I believe in keeping commitments unless it's in everybody best interest to break such commitment. Now fornication is something else.

Does anyone consider themselves a pantheist?

gearl comments on Dec 8, 2017:

I tried it on for a month or two but it quickly evolved into agnosticism and then atheism. I had already went through a lot of Christian religions and by then I had finally kicked her into gear and was moving on down the road. I still like to feel at one with the universe but then I realize that I'm just a minuscule part of it.

This is getting scary in America.

gearl comments on Dec 8, 2017:

It has been my observation that the far right has gathered more and more support starting back during the Bush years and then really growing during the Obama administration. Trump seems to be the culmination of that trend. I often say Republicans are dogs (pack animals) and Democrats are cats (loners). Democrats can't seem to get a plan that everybody can get behind. Republicans are strongly behind God, guns and greed. They seem to be completely destroying America with only one-third of the population supporting their bills and their President.

Why is it that most believers seem to be angered by anybody without a religious belief?

gearl comments on Dec 8, 2017:

They are normally around people who agree with them and strengthen their beliefs. Not believing is a kick in the gut, and tends to prey on their doubt, their reason. For many it is actual fear.

How do you personally define the word "spiritual?

gearl comments on Dec 8, 2017:

The word comes from spirit, which is to me at least, a religious term to explain our consciousness. It has too many religious and New Age connotations for my taste. I stand in awe of grandeur as in natural things. I can't say that I'm put off when people use the word but I don't.

Roy Moore blames crime on teaching kids evolution ,because if you teach them they came from animals ...

gearl comments on Dec 8, 2017:

I have quite a few animals and I'll take their actions over his any day.

Here's your (stolen by Christians) tax dollars at work [huffingtonpost.com]

gearl comments on Dec 8, 2017:

That's the epitome of what the school system here has become. The public schools have went totally to shit with teachers really over the line with religious messages in class. People still aren't satisfied and home-school their kids. It seems like we have an extreme percentage of girls getting pregnant early. I really believe that evangelicals are about the most immoral group in America.

Do you alway's follow the speed limit when driving?

gearl comments on Dec 8, 2017:

I like a lot of folk as they get older follow the rules a bit closer. It probably because I don't trust my reactions that well anymore. I do however still get perturbed when people drive below the limit.

Alternative news

gearl comments on Dec 8, 2017:

Colbert.

What's your favorite thing about the winter season?

gearl comments on Dec 8, 2017:

Actually I look forward to my daughter coming home from college and getting together with a few other folks for holidays. Good food and good conversation.

What does your atheist heaven look like?

gearl comments on Dec 8, 2017:

My body is feeding all those little crawly creepies that live six feet down.

Rapture in 5 years?

gearl comments on Dec 8, 2017:

Jesus supposedly continually said that the world was ending. "Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened." He was wrong. JWs have prophesied the end in 914,1925 and 1975 among other dates. Wrong. Harold Camping had a couple fail in 2011. Wrong Hell Pat Robertson gave it a go saying 2007 would do us in. Wrong, but: These people wouldn't get attention if they let you sleep in.

It is estimated that 4 percent of the population are sociopaths,and this personality disorder ...

gearl comments on Dec 8, 2017:

I know a couple of guys that would qualify. As to their awareness of the condition, I never asked.

Theory of mind: the idea that not all knowledge is universal knowledge. Your thoughts?

gearl comments on Dec 8, 2017:

Sounds like woo to me.

Can beauty, truth and goodness exist all within one entity? I assert that this is not possible.

gearl comments on Dec 8, 2017:

Sure. I've met some ladies that had all three. Maybe not absolutely but generally yes.

What is the main reason why you are not religious?

gearl comments on Dec 7, 2017:

Why would I want to be?

Is Pride A Good Thing?

gearl comments on Dec 7, 2017:

When I was religious I had no pride. I was a mess. After getting out I reversed myself and started taking pride in everything in my life. Life got so much better. I don't think I'm better than anyone else but if you don't take pride in what you do and what you have you have little purpose in life.

What does the group think of advertising our point of view?

gearl comments on Dec 7, 2017:

Different stokes for different folks. It's not something I would do but I support it. Richard Dawkins or Silverman appeals to some people while someone like Julia Sweeney to others. Whatever it takes to get accepted. Many Christians find the fact that we just exist an affront. Well we do exist and we do have the right not to believe in their invisible friend.

Does your significant other share your belief?

gearl comments on Dec 7, 2017:

My wife is Catholic but hasn't been to church is several years. She accepts my and our daughter's atheism seemingly without any ill will.

How can belief in Hell be moral?

gearl comments on Dec 7, 2017:

The idea of hell was the foremost cornerstones of Christianity that I just couldn't reconcile. It set me on my path to atheism.

What does anybody think of the movie The Passion Of The Christ?

gearl comments on Dec 7, 2017:

It's weird that these folks who just glory in sick films like this won't watch something like Harry Potter because that is so demonic. Sick SOBs.

Saw this on Facebook. I found it hilarious!

gearl comments on Dec 7, 2017:

Sad but true and funny.

This was part of the holiday display at work and the center of the display. I'm an evil grinch...

gearl comments on Dec 7, 2017:

I applaud you!

Megachurch Pastor: ‘Woman Has No Right Over Her Own Body - It Belongs To God’

gearl comments on Dec 7, 2017:

It has always amazed me that so many women support somebody like this. I guess it's no different than the poor supporting the silly tax plan that congress is trying to ram through. My goodness.

People that have nothing better to do with their lives spend countless hours worshiping something ...

gearl comments on Dec 7, 2017:

Magic is always easier than work. I sure agree with you that some honest constructive work wouldn't hurt anybody especially if it's for the common good. I don't know how many people really want to be worshiped. I sure wouldn't. Maybe there are a few, like that guy in the White House.

I would like to know what other atheists think of The Satanic Temple?

gearl comments on Dec 6, 2017:

Everything I have read about them has been positive. They try to strengthen the separation between church and state with lawsuits when religious organizations step outside the rules of the first amendment.

Trump just announced the US recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

gearl comments on Dec 6, 2017:

There are a lot of folks in this country that want Armageddon in their lifetimes. As a former Jehovah’s Witness and knowing a lot of evangelicals I know that this move, they believe will set the stage for that final war. https://www.rawstory.com/2017/12/theologian-explains-how-trumps-jerusalem-move-is-right-wing-evangelicals-dream-come-true/

It seems to me that the people on this site know the Bible, Quran etc.

gearl comments on Dec 6, 2017:

“Properly read, the Bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived.” _ Isaac Asimov

Corporal Punishment

gearl comments on Dec 6, 2017:

I may be the only one here but I did spank my daughter twice. Once when she tried to take the keys out of the ignition when her mother was driving and another time at head start when she did something that I can’t even remember now. I was also spanked a couple of times as a child. I don’t think it had a negative impact on me and I don’t think spanking my child had a negative impact on her. I got spanked in school for reasons that I didn’t feel were justified and that did always bother me. My philosophy on the matter is that it needs to be something pretty drastic and never do it in anger. My wife remembers things too long and doesn’t forgive very easily. My daughter said repeatedly that she would sooner get a whooping from Dad than get nagged by Mom. I know a lot of parents that used corporal punishment frequently. I don’t agree with that, but I still think for major infractions I would do it again. I certainly don’t see any adverse effects on my daughter as she is about the most tender-hearted young lady that anyone could wish for but at the same time she stands her ground when she thinks she’s right. I told her as she got a few years older that if she thought I was wrong, just tell me, and we would discuss the matter. As it turns out she’s right more than me.

Why celebrate christmas?

gearl comments on Dec 5, 2017:

My wife and daughter like it. We usually invite several people who don't have family over and we really enjoy the discussions after the meal. In this town I sometimes crave people who I can honestly talk to without walking on glass.

An essay on atheism that I wrote for the Harrisburg Patriot-News and PennLive.

gearl comments on Dec 5, 2017:

You cover a lot of good ground with a minimum of words. Great essay.

In your experience, do opposites attract?

gearl comments on Dec 5, 2017:

Nah. What differences my wife and I had, have mellowed over the years. We've both grown more like each other I believe. My first wife and I grew in opposite directions till it broke. It wasn't her and I hope it wasn't me, but it didn't work anymore. I do believe in commitment.

Anyone else have issues with being the black sheep of their family?

gearl comments on Dec 5, 2017:

Sounds like you need a little space between yourself and them. Of course I don't know your circumstances, but if possible, some distance would help.

How could Adam and Eve sin if they didn't know sin yet?

gearl comments on Dec 5, 2017:

A good question to ask a Christian. Not so much a bunch of atheists and agnostics.

Money aside: Would you allow yourself to be cryogenically frozen?

gearl comments on Dec 5, 2017:

To me this is just another get rich scheme that, if I had money, I would want no part of.

What's most important to you?

gearl comments on Dec 5, 2017:

Doing my best at everything I do.

Do you believe in love.

gearl comments on Dec 5, 2017:

Hell yes! I love, love and wouldn't want to live without it.

Why isn't trump being called out for the treasonous, racist pig that he is?

gearl comments on Dec 5, 2017:

Sounds like most people agree with you. I do.

Real courage..................

gearl comments on Dec 5, 2017:

It's sure funny but is it courage or being stupid. Maybe both. I'll cheer for him.

Political Blindness

gearl comments on Dec 5, 2017:

I agree.

Do Governments do more harm than Good?

gearl comments on Dec 5, 2017:

Without government someone would come and take over and be a dictator. Any organized group is some kind of government. They are governed by the strong. I would sooner have some sort of democracy that looks out for those that can't look out for themselves than a dictatorship, an oligarchy, a kingdom or whatever. Seven billion people can't live without organization and that means government. Scandinavia seems to do a pretty good job.

The small orchestra that I play in has just begun a series of Xmas concerts for the local community.

gearl comments on Dec 5, 2017:

If it doesn't bother you, it sure isn't going to bother me. Enjoy!

Why do I see so many atheists claiming morals, like they feel the need to compete with theists?

gearl comments on Dec 4, 2017:

I sincerely hope I have morals. I'm not competing but when someone tells me I don't have morals because I don't have an imaginary friend it get my dander up. I take pride in having morality.

What’s your view on free will?

gearl comments on Dec 4, 2017:

I did read Sam Harris' book and I still don't know. I guess it depends on what you mean by it. Most of us just think it means being able to make choices. I make choices, so to a degree, I do have free will. Do I make the right choices and are they always thought through? No! Evolution, culture and upbringing do make a lot of choices for me. Shit, I just don't know!

Liz Crokin: Trump Is 'God's Anointed' And 'Never Wrong' | Right Wing Watch

gearl comments on Dec 4, 2017:

Is there something in the water? Are the Russians really blasting us with ultrasonic whatever? My goodness!

I want to know if flat earthers think the milky way galaxy is made of caramel...

gearl comments on Dec 4, 2017:

I didn't know they thought!

Do you think dreams have any real meaning?

gearl comments on Dec 4, 2017:

Sometimes when I'm having problems figuring something out the answer comes in a dream. Sometimes I have "nice" dreams and I do enjoy those. Most I forget.

Is there anyone else who hates the Christmas Season?

gearl comments on Dec 4, 2017:

Sometimes being hard of hearing isn't the worse thing in the world.

Surprise! McConnell just broke all those promises Susan Collins got in exchange for her tax vote

gearl comments on Dec 4, 2017:

Deplorables.

Republican religious values....

gearl comments on Dec 4, 2017:

I love that one.

Arizona pastor wants to kill the gays for ‘AIDS free Christmas’

gearl comments on Dec 4, 2017:

That's a bit old but these people say equally ridiculous things each and every day. They just may do more for any atheism movement than we can ever do so I just hope they keep it up.

Feminist or not

gearl comments on Dec 4, 2017:

I believe in what most feminists do but I disagree with the SJW side of the issue.

“My advice is to never do tomorrow what you can do today.

gearl comments on Dec 4, 2017:

I'm a bit like Dickens, but my wife & daughter? I love em all the more.

Just came across this opinion piece in the Huffington Post.

gearl comments on Dec 4, 2017:

Her heart seems to be in the right place but maybe I'm out here in the sticks because I've never heard anyone call themselves: Humanist Muslim, Humanist Christian, Humanist Buddhist, Humanist Atheist, Humanist Agnostic or Humanist anything. The only label I've heard and one I consider myself as is a Secular Humanist. I think your right in that she is playing a semantics game but I really don't see much purpose in it. She could have more impact just saying, cut the other titles and stick with Humanist.

A 'possum breaks into a bar and gets drunk as a skunk.

gearl comments on Dec 4, 2017:

Two nuns, a penguin, a man with a parrot on his shoulder, and a giraffe walk into a bar. The bartender says, “What is this? Some kind of joke?”

Do you eat at a kitchen table?

gearl comments on Dec 4, 2017:

I've been married twice and raised two kids. Both my wives and I agreed to always have dinners in the dining room. Breakfast is watching news and lunch is usually in the dining room but dinners always. It's the one time of the day when we can all get together and talk about our days. Now it's just the two of us but we still do it.

Am I the only one who have high respect for scientist?

gearl comments on Dec 4, 2017:

Since I was a young child my heroes have always been scientists. John Muir was one of the first and I read all his books. Later it was Sagan and Asimov. Now there are hundreds.

Christians accept without question, that the omnipotent creator of the universe must have a human ...

gearl comments on Dec 4, 2017:

The ransom sacrifice is something I've always had a problem understanding. When I left my religion of 40 years, I continued to get in arguments with various preachers about the issue. Never was one able to explain it so it made any sense to me. Thirty-five years later, I'm still waiting.

Anyone else notice that most born again Christians are former drug addicts?

gearl comments on Dec 4, 2017:

While I can hardly believe that most are former drug addicts, the few I know all have kids that are. That's certainly not a scientific sample and I wouldn't draw conclusions from it.

As atheists, what do you think about this quote "This is not Christianity.

gearl comments on Dec 3, 2017:

I certainly wouldn't argue with him when he's calling them out for hypocrisy.

I wrote a post a few days ago about whether you have the courage to reach out and touch the inferno.

gearl comments on Dec 3, 2017:

My wife, when she married me, left home with one very small bag of clothes and came with me. She was a brave woman.

Life's too short... (finish the line).

gearl comments on Dec 3, 2017:

Life's too short - Go for the gusto!

What's your favorite comedy movie?

gearl comments on Dec 3, 2017:

What I find about comedy amazing is how things I thought were lying on the floor laughable 50 years ago, are now, when I watch them, quite corny. Also mood play a lot into it. I still like “There’s Something About Mary” though.

Ignosticism, anyone?

gearl comments on Dec 3, 2017:

I’m a naturalist. I don’t believe in the supernatural and leave it at that.

I tried to post this before but I'm not sure if it went up.

gearl comments on Dec 3, 2017:

I believe there is no meaning to life but there is certainly meaning in life. To many religious people their meaning comes from serving an invisible friend so they can exist in an afterlife while the atheist has to find purpose right here and now because that’s all he has. We find joy in the natural world and want to preserve it for our children. We see awe by contemplating the extent of the universe from the infinitely small to the incomprehensible size of it. It’s a joy to get up and live each and every day.

What Superstitious Beliefs or Habits do you Still Have?

gearl comments on Dec 3, 2017:

The older I get, the less superstition I have. I usually walk under ladders and break those superstitious “rules” just for the hell of it. It doesn’t seem to have ill effect.

What is the education system structure in your country?

gearl comments on Dec 2, 2017:

Basically we just have Kindergarten, Primary grades 1-6, Middle 7-9 and High 10-12 .It varies with school districts. College is two years for an associate degree, four years for a Bachelor six for a master and eight for a Doctorate.

What do you embrace most about being an Atheist?

gearl comments on Dec 2, 2017:

Critical thinking, not believing in sin and sleeping in on Sundays

Baptist Pastor Defends Slavery As Beneficial and Biblical

gearl comments on Dec 2, 2017:

Whenever the moral issue comes up in discussion with Christians claiming to have moral superiority, I always use slavery because it is one of the easiest to argue. Nowhere does the Bible condemn slavery and it does encourage it. Before the Civil War the South used the Bible effectively to argue for slavery.

Many people on this site seem to have a fanatical almost religious obsession with comparison to ...

gearl comments on Dec 2, 2017:

I imagine a whole bunch of us have been hurt by religion. Something that takes family, friends, jobs and self-esteem from you may cause a bit of obsession and hate. If we find fault, it's with good reason. Personally, I try my best to separate Christians who are good people and Christians who are hypocrites. I try always to investigate the wonderful possibilities of the universe and that's something that keeps me going but I see little of that kind of thinking in the majority of religious people.

Sweden have started providing everyone, working or not with a living wage, it is amazing the ...

gearl comments on Dec 2, 2017:

I've read several books and articles of that coming to pass here but It'll take a lot of change in government from what we're seeing today.

Two percent of our gene pool is from neanderthals.

gearl comments on Dec 2, 2017:

My daughter was interested so we got one for her birthday. I'm bummed as it showed none for us.

Have you ever visited the people in prisons or correctional institutions?

gearl comments on Dec 2, 2017:

No, but I’ve had experience with people coming out. I had a friend who got busted for pot who was holding down a good job when he went in. His family had to go on welfare and he spent several years costing society a lot of money whereas he would have been paying taxes if they would have left him be. My parents hired a fellow newly out of prison who stole quite a bit of money and items from them because they tried to help. There are folks who deserve what they get and others in there who never should have been put in. Your 99% might represent those who say they’re sorry, but it’s way too high for people that mean it. Having said that, there are way too many people in prison who never should have been convicted and we have way too many bad laws putting people in prison for things that don’t warrant incarceration.

Little Johnny was sitting in class doing math problems when his teacher picked him to answer a ...

gearl comments on Dec 2, 2017:

Little April was not the best student in Sunday school. Usually she slept through the class. One day the teacher called on her while she was napping, "Tell me, April, who created the universe?" When April didn't stir, little Johnny, a boy seated in the chair behind her, took a pin and jabbed her in the rear. "GOD ALMIGHTY!" shouted April and the teacher said, "Very good" and April fell back asleep. A while later the teacher asked April, "Who is our Lord and Saviour," But, April didn't even stir from her slumber. Once again, Johnny came to the rescue and stuck her again. "JESUS CHRIST!" shouted April and the teacher said, "very good," and April fell back to sleep. Then the teacher asked April a third question. "What did Eve say to Adam after she had her twenty-third child?" And again, Johnny jabbed her with the pin. This time April jumped up and shouted, "IF YOU STICK THAT F*****G THING IN ME ONE MORE TIME, I'LL BREAK IT IN HALF AND STICK IT UP YOUR ARSE!" The Teacher fainted.

Favourite movie of all time.

gearl comments on Dec 2, 2017:

Avatar

Religion and Politics

gearl comments on Nov 30, 2017:

I’m for taxation. I also believe that there should be limits on political contributions. Maybe $100 per citizen because as it is now the Koch Brothers and other wealthy people pay for candidates. No corporations or business but only citizens. The candidates lower the taxes of the rich so they can afford more government and then we have an oligarchy which is what Russia has and what we’ve gotten over the last year.

"The banana -- The atheist's nightmare" Laughing too hard at this one

gearl comments on Nov 30, 2017:

Bananas like apples and cabbage and a host of other veggies and fruit have been bred into their modern forms through centuries of selective breeding. Bananas originally were nothing like what we see in the modern fruit. Comfort’s argument was surely one from ignorance.

I think both girls and guys can make the first move cause end of the day both need each other.

gearl comments on Nov 30, 2017:

The rules they are a changing and it’s good. All these women coming out is, I believe, a good thing because we may get some rules as what boys and girls can get away with. Girls need to put their big girl panties on and tell boys or men where to go if what they propose is inappropriate. Likewise, I don’t see why the girl can’t make a more if she want to.

Does anybody else ever feel that Jesus' death and his crucifixion was a manipulation as a guilt trip...

gearl comments on Nov 30, 2017:

God never takes the blame for anything. A plane crashes and it’s a miracle because god saved one child but doesn’t get the blame for the casualties. The same for earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes or whatever. Christians even have a scape-goat with the Satan. The Devil made me do it. Of course if preachers can blame people for everything because of original sin then god gets a free ride again and they can better control their flock and keep them coming back to be saved from hell eternal while paying good money for their guilt.

When a religious person asks, where do you get your morals from, what is your answer?

gearl comments on Nov 30, 2017:

This is pretty much the same question on a different post so I’ll give the same answer. I believe morality is something that has been learned from family and acquaintances. It is something that has evolved in society simply by benefiting people. If I lived in a hunter-gatherer group it would be to my advantage to make rules about murder and stealing. Originally it would benefit the tribe as we see in the old testament. Since then it continues to evolve and results in laws that benefit more and more people. It should be the greatest good for the greatest amount of people.

The Basis of Morality

gearl comments on Nov 30, 2017:

I believe morality is something that has been learned from family and acquaintances. It is something that has evolved in society simply by benefiting people. If I lived in a hunter-gatherer group it would be to my advantage to make rules about murder and stealing. Originally it would benefit the tribe as we see in the old testament. Since then it continues to evolve and results in laws that benefit more and more people. It should be the greatest good for the greatest amount of people.

My all time favorite meme.

gearl comments on Nov 30, 2017:

Thought I'd see how this works.

Sick of Facebook? Me Too!

gearl comments on Nov 30, 2017:

I check it once a week or so to see what a couple of friends and family are doing but generally I don't care in the least for it.